West Coast vibe in D.C.

Coach Jim Zorn’s new system was supposed to be hard to install, like the dark days of converting Al Saunders’ system or the “Fun-N-Gun” of Steve Spurrier that shot blanks. The Redskins have seen more offenses stall than energy bills on Capitol Hill.

But Zorn is looking like a genius, boo birds unhappy over a field goal attempt on Saturday notwithstanding. The Redskins are 2-0 in the preseason for the first time in six years, the starting offense scored two touchdowns in three series, the running game is sharp and everybody is clicking.

“Everything he said was going to happen, happened,” running back Clinton Portis said.

Think Zorn could work on the oil crisis next?

It’s not time to think Super Bowl any more than last week’s optimists projecting rookie quarterback Colt Brennan starts by week 5. But when you see both Ladell Betts and Portis running freely and quarterbacks always finding an open receiver, it’s hard to keep postseason thoughts from developing in the preseason.

The Redskins have found a winner in Zorn. There’s a lot that can prevent Washington from succeeding this season — mostly injuries — but if Zorn leaves the Redskins in the next couple years without success, it’s not because he’s unable to do the job. Clearly, the Redskins lucked out when finding an overlooked assistant ready to become a head coach.

The ease of the offense’s transition is Zorn’s victory. It has only been a couple of meaningless preseason games, but better to look good than bad in these contests. Zorn needed to win over skeptical fans and players. That issue has already been resolved even if the team stumbles in September. The focus is no longer on a rookie head coach because Zorn has shown more organization than some predecessors. He knows the rules, like successfully overturning an official’s timeout denial after Buffalo called one. The official thought you can’t call successive timeouts, but that’s only by the same side, not different teams. Zorn was in the guy’s grill on that one.

Zorn has converted Campbell into a West Coast passer. The quarterback was in six systems in seven years, including one season with the West Coast at Auburn, but Campbell wasn’t suppose to thrive in the quick pattern scheme. Instead, he’s making it look easy. Brennan is also playing well for a rook.

Betts looked better rushing for 41 yards in the 17-14 win over Buffalo than at any time last season. Portis made a rare preseason appearance with two strong series. If Zorn can mix the passing and running games — like 32 throws and 31 runs against Buffalo — then it’s down to Washington’s defense on whether it’s playing in January. And so far, that unit is playing pretty well, too.

Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at rsnider@dcexaminer.com.